Florida, USA Sends Letter to IOC: "We Will Host the Olympics Instead of Japan"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Amid the possibility of the cancellation of the Tokyo Olympics in Japan, the state of Florida in the United States has expressed its desire to host the Olympics instead.

According to foreign media on the 26th, Jimmy Patronis, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Florida, sent a letter to Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), stating, "I hope you will consider moving the 2021 Olympic Games from Tokyo, Japan to the United States, specifically Florida." He added, "There are reports that Japanese leadership is 'privately' very worried about hosting the 2021 Olympics," and said, "There is still time to send a site selection team to Florida."

CFO Patronis said, "The Governor of Florida has partnered with the private sector for rapid vaccine distribution," and claimed that unlike other states, vaccines will be distributed quickly. He also stated that various sports games such as basketball and football are being held throughout Florida, and that Disneyland is operating safely. He added, "Whatever preventive measures are necessary, Florida will find a way to implement them."

The Tokyo Summer Olympics were postponed from July last year to July this year due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), but the recent resurgence of COVID-19 has raised calls for cancellation again. However, the Japanese government maintains its position to prepare for the Tokyo Olympics as scheduled. Japanese Prime Minister Suga has stated, "I want to make the summer Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics a proof that humanity has overcome the novel coronavirus and an opportunity to show the world Japan’s revival from the Great East Japan Earthquake."